Scrap Metal Licencing

The dealing in scrap metal or the running of a scrap metal business is controlled by the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964.

No person may carry on the business of a scrap metal dealer unless they are registered to do so by their Local Authority.

The Vehicle (Crimes) Act 2001 and the Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2002 provide a framework for the registration of motor salvage operators. These requirements are enforced by the Police.

A person is deemed to be carrying on a scrap metal business if:

   a) they occupy a place in the area for use as a scrap metal store, or

   b) they do not occupy a place in the area of the council or elsewhere as a scrap metal store, however their usual place of residence is within Hart District , or

   c) they do not occupy a place in the district or elsewhere as a scrap metal store, but a place in the area of the council is occupied by them for the purpose of that business.

Registration as a scrap metal dealer shall last for 3 years and must be renewed on or before the expiry date if the registered person wishes to carry on as a scrap metal dealer.  Registration of scrap metal dealing is free of charge. But vehicle dismantlers have to pay a fee.  Please contact us for more information regarding fees.  An application for registration as a scrap metal dealer can be downloaded to the right of this page.

Registration Details

Before registering any person as a scrap metal dealer the Council will require the following information:

   a) The full name of the dealer.

   b) The address of the dealer or in the case of a corporate body the registered or principal office.

   c) The address of each place in Hart District Council that will be used as a scrap metal store

   d) If the business is carried on from the applicants place of residence, notice of that fact.

   e) If premises are used for a scrap metal business but not as a scrap metal store, notice of that fact and the address of the premises.

The Council must be notified within 28 days of any alterations to a registered person's or business' particulars, or if the business ceases to operate.

Records Required to be Kept

Every scrap metal dealer must keep, at each place occupied by him as a scrap metal store, a book detailing all scrap metal received at that place and all scrap metal either processed at or dispatched from that place. Two books may be kept where the metal processed and or dispatched from a place is not received at that place.

The details to be kept for scrap metal received are:

   a) The description and weight of the metal;

   b) The date and time of receipt of the metal;

   c) If the metal is received from another person the name and address of that person;

   d) The price of the metal, if it has been ascertained at the time the entry is made in the book;

   e) If no price has been ascertained, the estimated value of the scrap metal;

   f) The registration mark of any mechanically propelled vehicle used to deliver the scrap metal.

The details to be kept for scrap metal processed or dispatched are:

   a) The description and weight of the metal;

   b) The date of processing or dispatch, and in the case of processing, the process applied;

   c) Where scrap metal is dispatched for sale or exchange, the name and address of the person to whom it is sold or with whom it is exchanged and the consideration for which it is sold or exchanged;

   d) Where scrap metal is despatched or processed other than for sale or exchange, its estimated value before being dispatched or exchanged.

Entries must be made immediately upon receipt, processing or despatch and books containing records must be kept for two years following the last entry.

Where a person satisfies the Council that the business is part of the business of an itinerant scrap metal collector, the Council, after consulting with the Chief of Police, may make an order requiring that on the sale of any scrap metal he shall obtain from the purchaser a receipt showing the weight of the metal and the aggregate price at which it was sold. These receipts must be kept for two years and must be produced on demand to any body authorised to require their production.

Where a scrap metal dealer does not occupy a scrap metal store and is not registered as an itinerant then the reference to keeping a book at a scrap metal store shall be construed as a reference to keeping a book either at the dealers usual place of residence or at any other place occupied for the purpose of the scrap metal business. The references to the receipt, processing or despatch of scrap metal at or from a place shall be construed as the receipt, processing or despatch of scrap metal during the course of business. Particulars must be entered in the book as soon as is practicable.

Where a dealer occupies a scrap metal store and is not registered as an itinerant and scrap metal is received and disposed of other than at registered premises then entries in the required books must be made as soon as is practicable at the business' nearest registered store.